HO CHI MINH 2011: By The Day

HO CHI MINH 2011: By The Day

Condensed Blog Entries from Vietnam 2011

By Ysabel Villaflor

This seems to be a normal occurrence on trips.

May 19, 2011

Dear Readers,

Will be Saigon Bound after a few hours because of a last minute decision to push through with a booking that wasn't rebooked due to Cebu Pacific's ridiculous rebooking policy.. which is kind of wearing off little by little as I finish this letter to you guys. hehehe (the adrenaline is kickin' in). 

I still have a lot of articles to write which shall be a little delayed due to changes in my schedule and would probably be posted sometime in December when I am free to do as I please :)  I am sorry for the delay, but responsibilities call.

But don't worry, it won't be that long.

Much Love,

WGYsabs

Welcome to Saigon! Where to?

P.s. We got our Vietnam trip for only Php6,000: http://wandergirls.blogspot.com/2011/07/5d4n-in-vietnam-for-p6000.html (plane+hotel)

May 20, 2011

Hi guys!!

Hello from Mai Hotel!

Our First Full Day in Ho Chi Minh!! 

As I sit in our room tonight, waiting for the rain to stop so we can shop at Ben Thanh Night Market, I would like to report that Vietnam is charming with a bit of danger.

On our first day, we moved to Halo Hotel from Mai Hotel, (Hotel Reviews here: http://wandergirls.blogspot.com/2012/04/two-budget-hotels-in-ho-chi-minh-to.html ) we strolled around leisurely around HCM (Ho Chi Minh) and checked out the many art galleries and the main capital. It was quite a feat to walk around during a hot sweaty day, it sure was a great experience crossing the streets with hundreds of scooters buzzing by without a care in the world. However, we did find a great technique when crossing. JUST CROSS and the many hoardes seem to avoid you. Yes, its crazy but it works!

Scooter Crazy Nation! 

High end Caravelle Area - you can see Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Gucci

We saw this Vietnamese couple getting their prenuptial shots while going around. Looks like the groom is directing the shots.

I got a kiss from this guy while going around Le Tanh Ton :)

Ben Thanh Market reminds me of Divisoria (Manila’s well-loved whole sale spot). Stalls lined up side by side, with variety of wares to choose from. The only difference? You set the price when haggling- which is quite a different approach than most. But the wares are cheap and nice. After doing our haggling, we treated ourselves to Truong Nguyen Iced Coffee which, I must say- is the perfect thing to do on a hot day.

I hope your pockets are ready!

So many nice shirts to choose from. (Ben Thanh Market)

Trung Nguyen Coffee - Vietnam's Pride. Coffee is a very big part of Vietnamese life.
They are one of the Top Leading Exporters of Coffee in the World.

Trung Nguyen Coffee Shake. Sooo good in that sweaty weather!

They also have Ice Cream! yum yum

We were just in time for the peddlers to set up for the night market though it was a short-lived shopping experience due to sudden rain.. but the good thing, our hotel was just in front of the night market and so we didn't get soaked!

As I finish writing this, the rain has dissipated and yes, we are going out to try our luck at the night market. Wish us luck!

much love, WGysabs

11:55pm, Vietnam Time

Just came back from the Night Market. Made a dent in my savings.. but smiling from ear to ear.

Yes, I am one happy shopper!  If it weren't for the wet pavement, then it would've been a more pleasurable experience. 

Got to sleep early for Cu Chi Tunnel and The Cao Dai Temple Ritual.  Excited :)

much love,

WGysabs

The Street Food in the Ben Thanh Night Market is something to try. Even the locals flock and eat here.

Happy to be back at Halo Hotel and Happy to be getting some sleep for a looong day tomorrow.

May 22, 2011

MY LAST DAY IN SAIGON

My legs are killing me! That's what happens when you walk from one end to the other end in one of the Cu Chi Tunnels in crouch position! Now we're paying for it the very next day. Despite that little reminder, yesterday's Vietnamese immersion was ... interesting.  I say this because in every story, there are always two sides. It sure was an earful of hearing the Vietnamese side of the American-Vietnam war. it was brutal.  But the effects of war in this country remains evident in everyday life. The stories reminded me of our own Philippine history when our ancestors were fighting colonial Spain and the succeeding conquerors.  It was like David vs Goliath. It was the same story in Vietnam.  But Cu Chi was the evidence of Vietnamese innovation, patience and bravery.  I cannot imagine living a life that time underground!  Moreso, being able to be so crafty.  But I guess that's part of war.  Cu Chi is one place no one should miss when in Vietnam.

Watch this British guy (who was part our group) try his luck getting out the camouflaged hiding places.

The preferred get-up during the wars.

Another interesting thing we did yesterday was observe the Cao Dai - a religion originated in Vietnam with influences from the Catholicism, Islam and Buddhism. It was one colorful ceremony.  And a look at a religion that is originally Vietnamese.

The Cao Dai Temple. Colorful, Huge and Vibrant.

No shoes allowed!

Now, a couple of hours before leaving at 1am.. We made the rounds of the museums in HCM (Ho Chi Minh). The Opera House, the War Remnants and the Revolutionary Museum.  And I got to sneak some last minute shopping at Saigon Square too

The Post Office. An important historical building. This was designed by a French  architect and has withstood time.

Guess which bottle they used for these beer handles. 

The Opera House

The Entrance at the Opera House

This photo almost got me in trouble. Turned out, we weren't supposed to be taking pictures while the elections were going on in this building.

Sneaking in some last minute shopping at Saigon Square (lots of export overruns and Vietnamese whole sale retail)

Last meal in Vietnam!

What I won't miss in Vietnam - the HEAT.  Now I understand what the phrase "the heat is on in Saigon" meant - it was the humid heat that makes for really wet clothes and alot of hydration.  You gottta feel it to experience it.

As I write this:  I am saying goodbye to an amazing experience and the nice friends we met.

Thank you to: An Di, Quyen, and Thanh of the Halo Hotel, Mr. Ky of Tuan Travels and Eve from Taiwan :)

New friends we met while in Vietnam Eve from Taiwan and Quyen from Halo Hotel :) 

Always,

Ysabs